Canucks try to run home win streak to eight in test with Kings

Hockey Betting Lines

03/13/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Winners of seven straight on home ice, the Vancouver Canucks begin a four-game homestand tonight versus the Los Angeles Kings at GM Place.

The Canucks haven't lost as the host since a January 31 overtime setback to Minnesota that marked their franchise-record ninth straight defeat at GM Place. However, the club has responded with the league's second-longest active home winning streak behind only New Jersey's eight-game run.

Vancouver, which is now 18-11-4 at home this year, does enter this contest off back-to-back road setbacks that ended a four-game overall win streak. The Canucks saw their win streak end with last Monday's loss in Los Angeles prior to Wednesday's 4-3 overtime defeat in Anaheim.

Alex Burrows, Ryan Kesler and Kyle Wellwood each notched a goal for the Canucks, who lost for just the fourth time in their last 16 games and still hold a one-point edge over Columbus for the fifth seed in the Western Conference. For Burrows, he netted his fifth goal in his last five games and reached the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career.

Roberto Luongo got the loss after stopping 37-of-41 shots.

The Kings have been out of action since their 3-2 win versus the Canucks on Monday. Jarret Stoll netted two power-play goals to pace Los Angeles to the win.

Denis Gauthier also tallied and Teddy Purcell recorded two assists for the Kings, who have won three games in a row and are one victory shy of their longest winning streak of the season. Jonathan Quick stopped 20 shots for the victory.

The Kings and their 67 points are five points back of a playoff spot in the West.

Los Angeles begins a stretch tonight that sees it play 12 of its final 16 games this season on the road. The Kings, who are 13-15-1 as the guest and have lost four straight away from LA, visit San Jose on Saturday before returning home to host Nashville on Monday.

However, following that test, the Kings head east to kick off a six-game road trip in Boston next Thursday.

The Kings and Canucks split their two meetings in Los Angeles this year and will play in Vancouver for the first time this season. LA has won four of the last six meetings overall as well as three of its last four in Vancouver.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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